by Lucy Adams
Her sister, however, was shaking her head. “I do not think I could permit such a thing, Lord Watt,” Susanna said firmly. “Not without a chaperone. It would not be—”
“Indeed, indeed!” Lord Watt interrupted, throwing up his hands. “I quite apologize. You are correct to state that Miss Williams should have a chaperone, Lady Northgate. If you wish to attend with us, then I should be delighted.” He swept into another bow, and much to Daisy’s relief, Susanna laughed softly, clearly charmed by Lord Watt.
“You mistake me entirely, Lord Watt,” Susanna replied, making Lord Watt look up from his bow in a hopeful manner. “I did not mean to suggest that I myself attend with Daisy, but rather that if you would be willing to wait for a short while until arrangements are made, then I would be glad for Daisy to walk with you.” She threw a darted glance towards Daisy, who knew full well that Susanna was thrilled with this apparent attention from Lord Watt. “Would you mind terribly waiting here with me until Daisy has prepared both herself and the suitable maid?”
Daisy blinked in surprise, wondering what it was she was expected to do, only to see her sister looking pointedly at Daisy’s gown whilst Lord Watt expressed his willingness to do whatever was required so that he might accompany Daisy to the park. Sighing inwardly and wishing that she might just have pulled on a bonnet and be done with it, Daisy rose to her feet and begged them both to excuse her. The lingering look that Lord Watt sent her way made a flurry of sparks rise up within Daisy’s heart, forcing her to scurry from the room before the fire that had been lit within sent its flames all the way to her cheeks. She could not allow her feelings to take hold at this present moment, not when she was meant to be thinking only of her task to find the man responsible for the death of her father. That was why Lord Watt had come to take her to the park. It was not for any other reason than that they might speak privately, which they could not do when Susanna was present. There was no time for her to consider her renewed, burning, bubbling emotions that seemed to grow in magnitude every time she saw him. Now was a time to think practically, to think clearly and to remain entirely unhindered by emotion, no matter how difficult that would be.
“You have met Lord Stevenson?”
Lord Watt chuckled, and Daisy felt her heart leap in her chest. This was the gentleman she remembered. The one who was always ready with a warm smile, a laugh, and a happiness in his eyes that seemed never to fade away.
“I met him, yes,” he answered, as they walked through St. James’s Park together. “It took some time for him to even consider talking to me, it seemed, but he did so eventually. I think that he is someone with a good deal to hide.”
“Oh?”
Lord Watt nodded, looking down at her. “Lord Fitzherbert was also present in Whites last evening,” he told her, his expression becoming a little dark. “I have very rarely seen a gentleman behave in such a manner as he did.” Shaking his head, his expression grew troubled. “He was ranting and raving, making such a noise and such a commotion that it seemed to fill all of Whites!”
Daisy’s stomach tightened. “And Lord Stevenson saw this?”
“He did,” Lord Watt confirmed. “And he spoke to me of just how poorly he thinks of Lord Fitzherbert and how his prior acquaintance with the fellow is not about to be renewed.” Throwing another glance towards her, Lord Watt cleared his throat abruptly, as though he had seen the similarities between that situation and their own, although this particular acquaintance was being renewed, albeit in a different way from before. “He also mentioned something about being relieved that someone – and he was speaking of me in this – was about to take his advice. I suspect that he was still thinking of Lord Fitzherbert when he made such a remark, but I cannot be sure of it.”
“I see,” Daisy murmured, her thoughts beginning to tumble over each other. “And what advice is it that you are to take?”
Much to her surprise, Lord Watt chuckled and Daisy looked up at him quickly, managing to stumble just a little in her surprise. Lord Watt caught her arm, and before she could say a word, deftly looped her arm through his, before continuing to walk through the path. “Lord Stevenson warned me I would not be a good friend to you if I encouraged you towards Lord Fitzherbert,” he told her, as Daisy battled against her feelings of overwhelming delight at the way Lord Watt now walked with her. “He presumed that I would not want to be introduced to Lord Fitzherbert after what he had told me of him, and I had to think of a reason why I absolutely had to accept an introduction to the man.”
“Of course,” Daisy said quickly, feeling the wind warm her cheeks still further and praying that Lord Watt would not be able to feel or even see just how much his closeness was affecting her. “You have to inform Fitzherbert that I am very wealthy indeed. Is that not so?” She laughed as he grinned at her and she felt that familiarity grow between them again. “You have not yet managed to be introduced?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I would have attempted to do so last night, but the state of the fellow was so that I knew any sort of introduction would be forgotten completely.”
She could not help but smile, thinking that Lord Fitzherbert – who was rather loud and foppish without even a drop of liquor within him – must have been in a very poor state last evening. “Then are you to attend the soiree this evening?” she asked, looking up at Lord Watt and catching her breath at the sight of him watching her closely, his expression warm. “Lord Fitzherbert will be there also.”
Lord Watt nodded. “Lady Mellinger’s soiree?” he asked. “Yes, I am to attend this evening. Lord Stevenson is also meant to be in attendance, and I have one or two other gentlemen from the League who are going to ensure they keep close to him so that I might focus on Lord Fitzherbert.”
“I look forward to seeing you introduced to Lord Fitzherbert then,” Daisy commented, a little wryly. “You will find him as irritating and as pretentious as I, I think.”
“Tell me, do you think he might have had something to do with the death of your father?”
The smile slid from Daisy’s face almost at once at the mention of her father. She had, it seemed, almost forgotten that the reason for her behaving in such a way and making plans such as this was simply to do with the death of Lord Harrogate. “I do not know,” she murmured, dropping her head and feeling as though she were not much use to anyone at all. “I have known Lord Fitzherbert for close to a fortnight now, and whilst he is an arrogant sort and not at all the sort of gentleman I would consider to be a suitable match, he does have a good many young ladies seeking out his company.” She allowed Lord Watt to lead her to a bench and sat down heavily, feeling a trifle weary as she focused all of her thoughts onto Lord Fitzherbert. “I think that he enjoys the attention that is given to him,” she added, as Lord Watt nodded. “And I suspect that, underneath his superciliousness, there may very well be a wise and careful mind.”
Lord Watt sat down next to her, his eyes fixed on hers. “You think that he does not show his true self?”
“I am suspicious that the gentleman we see is not the true Lord Fitzherbert, yes,” Daisy admitted. “But I have no particular basis for such a consideration. I do not know the man well.”
Lord Watt leaned forward and pressed one hand to hers for just a moment. “But your assertion comes from a place of wisdom,” he said. “You have always had excellent judgement and you tend to give serious matters great consideration.”
Daisy swallowed. “Not in every situation,” she confessed softly, knowing that she had not managed to give her acquaintance with Lord Watt the consideration that had been required of it when she had left London to return to her late father’s estate. There had been too much pain, too much confusion and guilt for her to even think about him then – and that had left them both in a very difficult place indeed. She looked up into Lord Watt’s eyes, feeling his fingers press hers a little tighter and aware of how the air seemed to grow thick about them. A tightness came to her heart that she could not quite free herself from, wh
ilst an anticipation curled all through her.
Lord Watt opened his mouth as though to say something, only to close it again and turn his head away, shaking it from side to side. His hand lifted from hers, making her heart sink with a sudden sense of loss.
“I will ensure that there is an introduction this evening,” he said. “I will have to ensure it occurs when you are speaking with the fellow. I will greet you first, of course, and thereafter, you can ensure that Lord Fitzherbert and I become acquainted.”
“Of course.” The sun, which she had thought so warm and so bright only a few minutes before was now rather muted. The vivid colors of the flowers had dulled, the air seeming to send a chill around her shoulders.
“You will do very well, I am quite sure,” Lord Watt said firmly. “By the time I am finished speaking with him, I am sure that he will have every intention of asking to call upon you or some such thing. According to Lord Stevenson, the man does not have as much wealth as he likes the ton to believe.”
Daisy managed a tight smile, still feeling all manner of confusing and conflicting emotions as Lord Watt looked back at her again. “Then I will be able to search his house for…?” She trailed off, not at all certain what it was that she might be able to discover and still entirely unsure as to how her blossoming acquaintance with Lord Fitzherbert might provide them with any answers.
“All in good time,” Lord Watt laughed, making the cold begin to fade from her bones. “When one is in The King’s League, one learns to take things one step at a time, for people do not always behave as they are expected to behave.” He smiled at her and this time, Daisy was able to smile back without any reserve. “Things can change rapidly, Miss Williams.”
Her smile became fixed as her heart began to pound furiously all over again. Was he speaking of Lord Fitzherbert? Or was there a hint that he might be speaking of his own heart, of what had once been between them?
“And do not forget that whoever was behind the death of your father is, most likely, involved with our enemies,” Lord Watt continued, as Daisy desperately tried to pull herself from her entangling thoughts so that she could focus on what he was saying. “The man could be a spy or could simply be pocketing money for passing on information to someone else. If it is Lord Fitzherbert, or if its Lord Stevenson, then we must both continue to be on our guard.”
Daisy swallowed hard, feeling a ball of anxiety settle in her stomach. “I quite understand,” she told him quickly. “Thank you, Lord Watt. I will ensure that the correct introductions are made this evening so that you may begin your assault on Lord Fitzherbert.”
The soiree had been in full swing for a little over two hours and, as yet, Daisy had not seen Lord Watt anywhere. Not that she could make it appear as though she were searching for him, for to betray herself in that way was not at all wise.
“You look quite lovely this evening, Miss Williams.”
She smiled up into the face of Lord Fitzherbert, putting all of her worries over Lord Watt to the back of her mind. “You are very kind to say so, Lord Fitzherbert.”
He laughed and gestured for a footman to bring them both a fresh glass of champagne. “I am not kind, Miss Williams,” he answered, with a broad wink. “I am truthful, and that is something entirely different indeed.”
Daisy considered this for a few moments, tipping her head to the left and giving Lord Fitzherbert a very coy look. Lord Fitzherbert appeared to be somewhat intrigued by this, for his eyes darkened with interest and he lifted one brow, evidently waiting to hear what she had to say.
“You say that you are truthful, Lord Fitzherbert,” Daisy began, thinking that she would have to do something in order to try and engage his interest in her further, if Lord Watt was not about to appear. “Then tell me. What are your intentions with me?” She smiled at him, whilst keeping her gaze sharp. Lord Fitzherbert was clearly quite taken aback for his eyes widened and the light smile dashed itself from his face almost at once.
“My intentions for you?” he asked, blustering just a little. “Goodness, Miss Williams, that is indeed, a very forward question. I quite wonder why you think it wise to ask me!”
Daisy let out a light laugh and touched his arm for a moment, as though she had been teasing him. “Well, given that I have a very large dowry and that most of the ton seem to know of it, I think it is only right for me to be aware of the true intentions of any gentleman who shows me such attentions,” she answered, with a gleam in her eye that she knew Lord Fitzherbert noticed. “Is that not fair? Is that not wise?”
Lord Fitzherbert said nothing for a moment or two, looking at her curiously although she could see that the interest that had been in his expression was slowly beginning to return. Fighting back the urge to say more, so that the silence might be filled, Daisy lifted her glass and took a sip so that she would not be able to say another word.
“You are quite a curious creature, Miss Williams,” Lord Fitzherbert murmured, as the laughter and conversation around them began to grow steadily. “A very curious creature indeed. Not every young lady would ask me such a question as you have done.”
Daisy lifted one shoulder carelessly. “Not every young lady has the strength of character to do so, mayhap,” she answered honestly. “But I think it only wise to do so.” She moved a step closer, looking up into Lord Fitzherbert’s face and forcing herself to remain standing close to him, despite the creeping distaste that filled her at being so near.
“I would not want you to think, Lord Fitzherbert, that I have a lack of interest in you,” she began, her voice so soft that she knew he would have to lean down to hear her speak. “I have been thoroughly delighted with your attentions, but I cannot help but notice that you delight in the company of other young ladies also. If there is to be no fixed interest on your part, Lord Fitzherbert, then I would know of it soon so that I do not find myself lost in a desperate hope that will, in time, fade to nothing.” Keeping her eyes fixed on his, she watched his expression for any sign that he understood what she meant. It was there in a moment, for his eyes flared, his breath hitched and then, after a moment, he began to nod slowly.
“I quite understand,” he answered gently, as she moved back just a fraction. “You must understand, Miss Williams, that a gentleman such as myself cannot help but be surrounded by those eager for my attention. There are so many ladies who wish to have their daughters introduced to me, or young ladies themselves eager to bat their eyes in my direction.” He sighed heavily, as though this was a great burden. “I can do nothing about it, of course, for I cannot be rude and turn them away.”
Daisy nodded, her eyes wide with apparent eager understanding. “I see your difficulty, of course,” she answered, “but surely you must also understand my predicament.”
Lord Fitzherbert hesitated for a moment, then reached out, took her hand, and bowed over it. “I do, of course,” he said, looking up at her as he let her hand go again. “I confess that I am rather grateful to you for your willingness to speak in such a blunt manner. A lady with your…wealth must be very careful indeed.” His eyes flickered as he mentioned that particular word, making Daisy fill with a sense of satisfaction. It was as Lord Watt had suggested. Lord Fitzherbert was eager to find a match with a lady who could bring him a good deal of money in their marriage together. She was apparently a very good match indeed, even though the truth of it was that her dowry was not particularly large at all.
“I am so very glad you understand, Lord Fitzherbert,” she murmured, just as the sound of Lord Watt’s voice reached her from across the room. She turned her head to see him approaching her, having greeted Susanna and Lord Northgate, who were standing just behind her. Evidently, he had only just arrived.
“Ah, and there is Miss Williams!”
Daisy’s eyes flared wide with shock and horror. Lord Watt’s words were slurred and, to her dismay, he staggered slightly as he came near to her.
“Lord…Lord Watt,” she murmured, taking a small step back and, unfortunately, nearer
to Lord Fitzherbert. “Good evening.”
“Miss Williams,” Lord Watt said again, his smile turning into something of a leer. “As beautiful and as charming as ever.”
She smiled tightly and glanced towards Lord Fitzherbert, who was looking at Lord Watt with a hint of mirth in his expression. “Thank you,” she answered, her stomach tight with a sudden wave of nerves. This was not like Lord Watt! Whilst she knew he enjoyed his brandy, she had never once seen him to be in such a state as this. And nor was this the time for him to be behaving so, for was this meeting with Lord Fitzherbert not quite critical? A heat began to climb up her spine, rushing into her face as a fierce anger burned in her heart. This was not what she had expected of him.
“If you will excuse me,” she murmured, turning to move away – only for the loud voice of Lord Watt to stop her.
“Goodness, Miss Williams! You are not a rude creature – at least, not as I recall.” He arched one eyebrow, laughed, and gestured towards Lord Fitzherbert. “You are not going to leave without introducing me to your friend here?”
Daisy blinked. This was what she was meant to do, of course, but in her anger and her upset, she had quite forgotten. Her eyes narrowed just a little. Was Lord Watt as drunk as she thought him? Or was this an act?
“Yes, of course,” she said primly, turning back to Lord Fitzherbert, who shot her a sympathetic look. Quickly, she made the introductions, watching Lord Watt closely as he rose from his bow. There was no stumble now, no wavering or bobbing to indicate that he might be in his cups – but when he spoke, there was still that slur that betrayed him.
“Thank you, Miss Williams, you have been very kind,” Lord Fitzherbert said, smiling at her with evident kindness. “Do not let us keep you from your next conversation. I am sure Lord Watt and I can exchange pleasantries for a few minutes.”
She smiled back at Lord Fitzherbert, ensuring to put a grateful expression on her face as she did so. “I thank you,” she murmured, bobbing a quick curtsy and then turning around to walk away from them. Such was the sensation of their eyes watching her depart that it was all she could do to prevent herself from turning around and looking back at them. Her face grew warm, but she lifted her chin and carried on regardless, smiling delicately at one or two others whom she knew.